The above are photos of the fossil remains of Thylacoleo Carnifex, commonly known as the “Marsupial Lion”.  Pound for pound, Thylacoleo carnifex had the strongest bite of any mammal species living or extinct with a massive skull and cutting teeth. T. Carnifex also had long thumbclaws and is estimated to be faily fast moving. In all it’s a ferocious predator. Science and art often must come together in the re-creation of extinct animals. The bones are often drawn by scientific illustrators who study the remains, and extrapolations of muscle build coat color and possible behavior are made which culminates in illustration restorations of these magnificent animals.

Two photo comparisons of T. Carnifex skull shown next to an African lion skull (Panthera leo).

Illustration of bone fragments done by Richard Owen.

Wells, R., Murray, P., & Bourne, S. (2009). Pedal Morphology of the Marsupial Lion.

Illustrated restoration by Mark Hallett.

Illustration reconstruction by Adrie and Alfons Kennis.